Coffee and Caffeine: How Much Is Too Much?

Are you wondering how much coffee is safe to drink? Are you worried about the risks of too much caffeine intake? This article explains how much coffee is too much. 

How Much Caffeine is in a Cup of Coffee? 

Caffeine, an active ingredient in coffee, is the most commonly consumed psychoactive drug in the world. Coffee’s caffeine content is variable, ranging from 50 to over 400mg per cup. A small, home-brewed cup of coffee could provide around 50mg of caffeine, while a 475ml (16-ounce) Starbucks Grande packs over 300mg. As a general rule, you can assume that an average 240ml (8ounce) cup of coffee provides around 100mg of caffeine.

Numerous sources suggest that consuming 400mg of caffeine each day – the equivalent of 4 cups of coffee (about 945 ml) – is safe for most healthy adults. However, many people drink much more than that without any problems. Everyone reacts differently to caffeine, and some people can handle more than others. Still, it’s important to know when it’s too much. 

The Health Benefits of Caffeine

If used properly, caffeine can provide many beneficial effects on the body. Aside from giving you an energy boost, here are some other ways that coffee can positively impact your health.

• You could live longer.
  Did you know? Coffee has been linked to increased longevity. In one study involving 402,260 people between the ages of 50-71, those who drank 4-5 cups of coffee per day had the lowest risk of death over the 12-13-year study period. Two other studies had similar results. 

• Reduced risk of certain diseases.
  Coffee has also been linked to a reduced risk of certain diseases, including type 2 diabetes, liver cirrhosis, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and depression.   

• Improved cognitive performance.
  Studies have shown that caffeine can boost alertness and wakefulness in some people. In one study, caffeine was linked to dose-dependent improvements in choice reaction time, simple reaction time, incidental verbal memory, and visuospatial reasoning. 

Coffee and Caffeine: How Much Is Too Much? 

According to experts, up to 400mg of caffeine a day appears to be safe for most healthy adults – that’s equivalent to about 4 cups of brewed coffee, 2 ‘energy shot’ drinks, or 10 cans of cola. Remember that the actual caffeine content in beverages varies widely, particularly among energy drinks. Also, although caffeine consumption may be safe for adults, it’s not a good idea for children. 

Adolescents and young adults need to be warned about excessive caffeine consumption and mixing caffeine with alcohol and other drugs. Women who are breast-feeding, are pregnant, or are trying to become pregnant should talk with their doctors about limiting their caffeine consumption. Note that even among adults, heavy caffeine consumption can cause unpleasant side effects. Furthermore, caffeine may not be a good choice for people who are taking certain medications or those who are highly sensitive to its effects.

The Side Effects of Caffeine.

When you drink caffeine, you’ll feel more alert and awake, and you may even feel like you have more energy. This is why coffee has become the drink of choice in the mornings. However, there are other effects that you should be aware of when you decide to drink coffee or any other caffeinated beverages. Some of these side effects include: 

• Restlessness
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Nausea 
• Vomiting
• Palpitations
• Chest Pain
• Stomach Irritation
• Nervousness
• Agitation
• Tremors

If you experience such symptoms after drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages, you may be sensitive to caffeine and should consider cutting your intake. Everyone reacts differently to caffeine, and some people can handle more than others. The more often you drink it, the more your body will be able to process before some of the effects of caffeine become apparent. 

However, there are some cases where it’s important to know that caffeine can make things worse, and not better. For instance, caffeine has been shown to make anxiety disorders worse on patients suffering from those conditions. Also, people with heart conditions must be cautious because of the effects that caffeine can have on the heart. These are just a few examples of conditions where people must consume caffeine with caution or avoid it altogether. 

Coffee Consumption: Maximizing the Benefits, While Minimizing the Harm

If you want to enjoy the benefits that caffeine offers, while at the same time minimizing the harm that it can bring, here are some steps that you can take when it comes to consuming caffeinated products. 

• Don’t consume caffeine every day.
  Daily coffee drinkers will definitely hate this one. While it’s best to not drink caffeinated beverages every day, if you must, make sure to limit yourself to only one cup a day. 

• Find the right dose.
  When consuming coffee or other caffeinated beverages, it’s important to find the right amount to drink. If you consume too much coffee – to the point that you feel jittery – you have definitely exceeded your limit. Experts suggest that consuming 400mg of caffeine each day – the equivalent of 4 cups of coffee (about 945 ml) – is safe for most healthy adults.
  
  However, many people drink much more than that without experiencing any problems. Remember, everyone reacts differently to caffeine, and some people can handle more than others. Still, it’s important to know when it’s too much.

• Try caffeine alternatives.
  If you’re looking for caffeine alternatives, there are several that you could try. For instance, cacao (unprocessed chocolate) contains a compound that’s related to caffeine but doesn’t interact with the nervous system; instead, it stimulates blood flow throughout the body. And because the circulatory system is able to deliver more nutrients to the brain, you’ll feel more alert and feel like you have more energy. 
  
  

The Bottom Line

Experts suggest that consuming 400mg of caffeine each day is safe for most healthy adults. However, many people drink much more than that without any problems. Remember, everyone reacts differently to caffeine, and some people can handle more than others. Still, it’s important to know when it’s too much.

If you’re like most adults, drinking coffee and other caffeinated beverages is a part of your daily routine. Usually, it doesn’t pose a health problem. However, be mindful of caffeine’s possible side effects and be ready to cut back on your caffeine consumption if necessary.